Pakistan mulls new amendment amid fears of provincial autonomy rollback

Pakistan’s former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the government is preparing a 27th Constitutional Amendment, sparking concern it could weaken provincial autonomy guaranteed under the 18th Amendment.

Bilawal, who leads the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) — a center-left party popular in southern Sindh — said a delegation from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N), led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, met him and President Asif Ali Zardari to seek PPP’s support.

He said the proposed amendment would establish a Constitutional Court, restore executive magistrates, and allow the federal government greater control over judicial transfers, education, and population planning.

It would also remove protections for provincial shares in the National Finance Commission (NFC) and resolve a deadlock over Election Commission appointments.

The PPP’s core leadership will meet on Nov. 6 to decide the party’s stance once President Zardari returns from Doha, Qatar, he said.

Why it matters

The move has reignited debate over Pakistan’s delicate balance between federal and provincial powers.

Critics warn the proposal could undo key gains of the 18th Amendment, which devolved authority to the provinces in 2010 to strengthen democracy after decades of centralized rule.

A two-thirds majority in both the National Assembly and Senate is needed to pass the amendment, making the PPP’s position crucial for the government’s plans.